Mayor Kutteh highlights importance of travel and tourism industry in Statesville

Posted on by Mike Fuhrman
Pictured (from left) are Debbie Williamson, SCVB community engagement manager; Cindy Charlton Sutton, SCVB executive director; Jay “Jimmy’ Patel,” SCVB Board chair; Michelle Hepler, SCVB Board member; and Donald Hicks, SCVB Board secretary.

Special to Iredell Free News

Statesville Mayor Costi Kutteh has proclaimed May 7-13 as National Travel and Tourism Week in Statesville.

During the May 1 City Council meeting, the mayor urged the citizens of Statesville to join him in recognizing the critical role this industry plays in the local community.

According to the Statesville Convention & Visitors Bureau, the travel industry drives an estimated $72 million in visitor spending from travelers staying in the city’s 22 hotels, generating $1.6 million in occupancy tax collections.

“Travel is at the heart of Statesville, N.C., powering a strong economy, creating jobs, and strengthening our community’s culture and identity,” said SCVB Executive Director Cindy Charlton Sutton. “This National Travel and Tourism Week, we are proud to celebrate all that travel does for our community now, and all that it will contribute to the future.”

National Travel and Tourism Week Proclamation

WHEREAS, the travel industry fuels every industry and will continue to be an essential part of Statesville, NC’s economy, development, and workforce.

WHEREAS, travel is an economic powerhouse for every state and destination across the country, with an economic output of $2.6 trillion in 2022, supporting 14.5 million American jobs.

WHEREAS, travel spending supports vibrant and safe communities in Statesville, NC and across the United States by generating $84 billion in state and local tax revenue in 2022 to support essential services, such as education, emergency response, public safety and more.

WHEREAS, travel enables success for all industries—including manufacturing, agriculture, defense, healthcare and more—by driving sales growth, innovation, education, and operations that move our economy, our nation and Statesville, NC forward.

WHEREAS, estimated annual visitor spending from our 22 hotels in Statesville, NC is $72mm and growing, generating $1.6mm in occupancy tax collections. WHEREAS the travel industry’s success will grow Statesville, NC’s economy and workforce, as small businesses account for 60% of leisure and hospitality employment in the US.

WHEREAS, travel is an essential industry, and we must continue to communicate that growing travel leads to economic growth, benefits businesses and fosters mutual understanding.

Therefore, I, Mayor Constantine (Costi) H. Kutteh, do hereby proclaim May 7-13, 2023 as National Travel and Tourism Week in Statesville, NC, and urge the citizens of Statesville, NC to join me in recognizing the critical role this industry plays in Statesville, N.C.